A fallen tree limb rests on the driveway of 61 Hillside Ave. in Suffern on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Barbara Suleski, 88, died from injuries after being pinned under a tree that fell in her front yard as she was shoveling her driveway.
John Meore/The Journal News

A fallen tree limb rests on the driveway of 61 Hillside Ave. in Suffern on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Barbara Suleski, 88, died from injuries after being pinned under a tree that fell in her front yard as she was shoveling her driveway.
John Meore/The Journal News

With power to the traffic lights out, Mount Vernon Police direct traffic at the heavily traveled exit for West Broad Street off of the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon, March 8, 2018.
Mark Vergari/The Journal News

With power to the traffic lights out, Mount Vernon Police direct traffic at the heavily traveled exit for West Broad Street off of the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon, March 8, 2018.
Mark Vergari/The Journal News

Westchester County Executive George Latimer held a press conference at the Yorktown Police Department on the nor'easter storms and power outages in Westchester on March 8, 2018.
Ricky Flores/The Journal News

Westchester County Executive George Latimer speaks at the Yorktown Police Department on the nor'easter storms and the response of utility companies to the widespread power outages on March 8, 2018.
Ricky Flores/The Journal News

9:10 a.m.: A sign calling on Con Edison for help in Briarcliff Manor, New York on March 8, 2018, the morning after Nor’easter Quinn hit the area. Residents have been without power since last week’s nor’easter.
Tania Savayan/The Journal News

With power to the traffic lights out, Mount Vernon Police direct traffic at the heavily traveled exit for West Broad Street off of the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon, March 8, 2018. (Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)Buy Photo

The wind howled, it snowed like crazy and for a day, travel pretty much came to a standstill. Fallen trees and wires left thousands still waiting for their electricity to be restored, and the commute has been hampered by reduced rail service.

Here are answers to some of the questions being asked in the wake of Wednesday's nor'easter:

Question: Why has it taken so long for utilities to restore power?

Answer: More than 80,000 customers in the Lower Hudson Valley were without power Thursday morning; many of those have had no electricity since last week's nor'easter. The utilities say they've faced major challenges in handling damage from that storm, which Consolidated Edison described as one of the five worst storms it's ever dealt with. Those efforts were hampered by Wednesday's nor'easter, which caused more delays in restoring power. Local and state officials have blamed the utility companies for a lack of organization. The response has been controversial and The Journal News/lohud is investigating it.

Q: Why should I worry about downed wires? What should I do if I see one, or if one falls on my car?

A: According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, downed power lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away. You should always assume that a fallen power line is live. In New Jersey, a driver was killed by a live wire Thursday. The foundation offers these tips on encountering a downed power line:

If you see a fallen power line, call 911 immediately.

The safe way to move away from a downed line is to shuffle with small steps, keeping your feet together and in contact with the ground at all times.

Never drive over the line, or through water that is in contact with the line.

If a line comes in contact with your car, stay inside, and don't touch any part of the car's frame or any other metal. Use a cell phone or honk your horn to get help. Allow only first responders to approach the car.

Q: Do drivers have to remove snow from the top of their vehicles?

A: Although New York does not have a law mandating ice and snow removal from vehicles, it's something that has been considered and is already in place in New Jersey and Connecticut. Police can stop drivers who are driving with snow on the roof or obstructing a window. A violation can be issued for obstructed windshields, or if ice or snow flying from a vehicle injures someone or causes damage to property. AAA New York says ice and snow flying from the top of a car poses a safety threat for everyone. AAA recommends taking a few minutes to clear your car or truck fully of snow and ice, including from the side and rear windows and the head- and tail lights.

Q: I'm approaching an intersection and see that the traffic light is out. What should I do?

A: Police say that when a traffic signal is dark, the intersection should be navigated as though it were a four-way stop. Slow down as you come to the crossroads, and make a complete stop. Vehicles should proceed through the intersection in the same order they stopped at the light. If two or more vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the one furthest to the right should proceed first. You might want to wait a few seconds, to be sure other vehicles do not move.

Q: All the snow and ice has left my car vibrating and shaking. Is it safe to drive?

A: Often, ice and snow build up on the wheels, causing the tires to become unbalanced. That can cause a minor shake in the steering wheel or, in more extreme cases, a feeling like the wheels are going to fall off. Once the snow melts off the wheels, the car should behave normally again. If the shaking persists, there could be damage that should be seen by a mechanic.

Q: Last week's nor'easter was called "Riley." This week's is called "Quinn." I know the National Weather Service names tropical storms and hurricanes, so who is naming winter storms?

A The Weather Channel began giving names to significant winter storms in 2012. A spokesman said the naming takes place no more than three days before a storm's expected impact, so forecasters are confident that it will have a significant effect on large population centers.

Q: I'm tired of snow. Are we getting any more?

A: Maybe. The current weather forecast calls for clear skies through Sunday with temperatures in the low 40s. Another nor'easter could move into the region late Sunday and drop more snow on Monday, but it might also veer out to sea. Right now, forecasters say it's too early to tell.

VIDEOS: DIGGING OUT FROM SNOWSTORM, MARCH 8, 2018
Video: Utility company from Canada helps out NYSEG | 0:47

A utility company out of Quebec Canada works on downed utility poles along Croton Falls Road in Somers March 8, 2018. They were one of numerous out of area crews helping to restore power in the lower Hudson Valley. Frank Becerra Jr./Lohud

VIDEOS: DIGGING OUT FROM SNOWSTORM, MARCH 8, 2018
Video: Latimer 'critical of those in suits' | 47:32

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Yorktown officials give an update at Yorktown Police Headquarters on the snowstorm aftermath and power outages, March 8, 2018. (Video by Ricky Flores/lohud)

VIDEOS: DIGGING OUT FROM SNOWSTORM, MARCH 8, 2018
Video: 'Very snowy, but it was beautiful' | 0:57

Heidi Henderson had good company on Main Street in Pearl River this post-storm morning: Bernese Mountain dogs Bridget and Chilly (who has a daughter named Winter). (Video by Peter D. Kramer/lohud on March 8, 2018.)